Peerless Guitars

**gianluca** · 08-26-2015, 06:27 AM

this is me playing a monarch: I think it is a great guitar, very comfortable to play.

**KEOKI** · 08-26-2015, 07:17 AM

I see you are fro PA but didn't know if you knew about this dealer in SW FL. Jerry's Lefty Guitars - world's largest inventory left-handed guitars. (No affiliation and no experience with the dealer since I am righty). I don't think this guy sells any right handed guitars. Anyway, one of my guitars is a Martin Taylor sig and it speaks volumes for the Peerless brand. Quality stuff.

**jazz.fred** · 08-26-2015, 08:09 AM

Buy that used lefty Monarch!

Or, if you want to buy New, PM Doc Dosco or call Lou @ Guitars-n-Jazz.

You won't be disappointed.

**Patriots2006** · 09-20-2015, 06:24 PM

Does anyone know what pickups are the the peerless models? Wondering if I make a purchase should I consider the cost of switching pickup and pots. Looking at a single neck pickup configuration.

**docdosco** · 09-20-2015, 08:13 PM

The newer carved top models all have Kent Armstrong PUs.

The other models have 'house brand' PUs.

Which model are you looking at?

Doc Dosco

**jazz.fred** · 09-20-2015, 10:22 PM

I own a Monarch 16. It is a great playing, great sounding, beautiful instrument. In addition, the acoustic tone is very respectable. IMO, Peerless archtops represent an excellent value.

**Patriots2006** · 09-21-2015, 06:53 AM

I am looking at all models. I want to go to Guitars n Jazz in the near future. Even if I am unable to play all models I want to hear them. I also saw a used heritage sweet 16 for $3250 on line but I would have to purchase it without playing it. I am told the heritage guitars being handmade do not necessarily play and sound the same. Tough decision.

**jzucker** · 09-21-2015, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by Patriots2006

I am looking at all models. I want to go to Guitars n Jazz in the near future. Even if I am unable to play all models I want to hear them. I also saw a used heritage sweet 16 for $3250 on line but I would have to purchase it without playing it. I am told the heritage guitars being handmade do not necessarily play and sound the same. Tough decision.

just get a 24-48hr approval period

**jazzimprov** · 09-22-2015, 12:02 PM

just bought a mint 2013 Monarch 16" w/set pickup humbuckers & sunburst

Plays great, excellent quality, a little on the brighter side with more mids compared to the PM2m which is darker and deeper.

**ah.clem** · 09-22-2015, 12:29 PM

I purchased a carved Imperial from Doc Dosco a few years ago; he was great to deal with (thanks again, Doc!). The Imperial sounds great acoustically to me (I hardly plug it in anymore; I just grab it and sit on the couch in my studio). Sadly, it gets neglected due to so much 7 string playing the last few years. It's too bad they don't build a 7...

**jazz.fred** · 09-22-2015, 04:43 PM

Originally Posted by jazzimprov

just bought a mint 2013 Monarch 16" w/set pickup humbuckers & sunburst

Plays great, excellent quality, a little on the brighter side with more mids compared to the PM2m which is darker and deeper.

Nice axe at a sweet price. I love mine. Enjoy!

**Patriots2006** · 10-17-2015, 11:59 AM

Update on guitar purchase. Unfortunately I have to put this on hold. Have one large unexpected bill to wittle down. In the mean time I am still gassing like a kid at Christmas. The left handed heritage I saw on line is actually on hold and the new ones are so damn expensive. So I am looking at the Peerless and Eastman high end guitars. Closer to $3K in price. Not sure if this is practical or not. I am still a bit leery about buying something from China or Korea but I have seen some videos and some of them sound nice. I wonder if it would be fair to consider these instruments similar to what an ES175 once was when it was first introduced. If that is the case I should be able to find something and be confident about it's construction. I wouldn't want the stock pickups that are on the less expensive models though. So even though I have to wait a bit longer I am still confused about what I should buy. I will know better when I get to Guitars n' jazz but I do not want to waste Lou's time if I can't make a purchase at this time.
Also, considering a new amp as well. My es335 sounds horrible in my ultrasound amp. I use it with my Taylor flattop but really do not need it. That is why I am selling it. Considering selling my Roland JC90 maybe and purchasing a Hendrickson or something similar. Anyone have experience using a semi hollow body with these amps?
Thanks Rich

**vernon** · 10-17-2015, 12:35 PM

I was not 100% satisfied with the way my ES-335 sounded until I played through an Evans JE-200. Now an Acoustic Image Clarus and Quilter amps through RE cabs work great for me. To my ears, the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and the Alessandro P2P 6L6 tube amplifiers weren't quite able to translate the density of the neck humbucker output with enough purity of tone for me. My two cents...

**Patriots2006** · 10-17-2015, 04:53 PM

I had a good sound through my Roland jc90 until I switched to Da'Darrio flat wounds. It sounded great at the Luthier's shop where I had a fret dressing and new nut installed but when I tried it with my amp I did not like it. I am trying LaBella strings when they arrive to see if their flatwounds sound better.

**docdosco** · 10-17-2015, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by Patriots2006

I had a good sound through my Roland jc90 until I switched to Da'Darrio flat wounds. It sounded great at the Luthier's shop where I had a fret dressing and new nut installed but when I tried it with my amp I did not like it. I am trying LaBella strings when they arrive to see if their flatwounds sound better.

How about Thomastik Swings 012? I really like these strings. A bit pricey, but worth the extra $$$ to me. They have great tone and the tension is way easier on my fingers than some other strings....

**mispeltyoof** · 10-18-2015, 07:14 AM

I'm with Doc re Thomastik Swings ...I use 11's on my Peerless Maestro and the acoustic tone is still good. I find Thomastics play lighter than many other flat wounds so excellent for us past the first flush of youth.

**Patriots2006** · 10-18-2015, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by mispeltyoof

I'm with Doc re Thomastik Swings ...I use 11's on my Peerless Maestro and the acoustic tone is still good. I find Thomastics play lighter than many other flat wounds so excellent for us past the first flush of youth.

What is your thought on the Peerless guitar. I am looking at various models myself.

I ordered Labella flatwounds. Not as pricey. I will give those a try first and go from there.

**mispeltyoof** · 10-18-2015, 12:02 PM

I can only comment on the two I have which are the hand carved Maestro and the Renaissance which all though may look like a 335 is a thoroughbred thin line jazz archtop in its own right with lightweight totally hollow body with a good acoustic tone across the range. The Maestro is not to everyone's taste and you need to try before you buy. It is a lovely guitar with a small body which means it's lighter than some of the larger and heavy traditional archtops. The acoustic tone and volume are superb and they seem to have virtually removed the threat of feedback. Why I suggest you try before you buy is that it is designed for fingerstyle playing and as such is excellent but if you are a single note "machine gunning be bopper" then the slightly wider fretboard nay need some getting used to. The amplified sound is also excellent but a very acoustic sound is well reproduced with a floating Kent Armstrong pickup .But again if you want the traditional very mellow "ES175" sound then you may wish to look at many of the other excellent Peerless models. I have played many guitars over many years and can honestly say that my Peerless guitars compare with the very best, at very competitive prices. Usual disclaimer about no vested interest in Peerless just an Ho est response to a question.